‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ shows off young Chewie, from a veteran Wookiee actor

LOS ANGELES — “Solo: A Star Wars” story doesn’t just introduce audiences to a new actor playing Han Solo, it shows his sidekick Chewbacca in ways he hasn’t been seen in previous “Star Wars” films.

Chewbacca actor Joonas Suotamo said the differences surprised “Solo” star Alden Ehrenreich. The film depicts the characters’ first meeting, long before they become heroes of the Rebellion shown in the original “Star Wars” trilogy.

“It was actually a long time before Alden saw me in that very traditional Chewbacca (look). Because when we meet, Chewie doesn’t really look like the Chewie that you’ve known and expect. It took a while,” Suotamo said.

Suotamo was actually among the veteran “Star Wars” cast members on the “Solo” set — he first appeared as the famed Wookiee in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” He plays him as a relatively young 190 years old in “Solo.” The film, out Friday, stars Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Paul Bettany in their first “Star Wars” roles.

At the film’s international premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last week, Suotamo was clearly enjoying himself, snapping selfies with a person in a Chewbacca costume and beaming in photos shot with castmates atop the festival’s iconic red stairs.

Suotamo, a former Finnish basketball player who is 6-foot-10, said original Chewie actor Peter Mayhew helped him through a Wookiee “boot camp” to learn movements and sounds. He admires Mayhew’s approach to “Star Wars” fame.

“I think Peter’s outlook to that has always been to live your own life — not be bothered and not think too much about what others are thinking. That’s a great thing,” he said. “He has done so much good for ‘Star Wars’ by being dedicated his life to this franchise and these stories. We are indebted to him as much as anyone.”

He also got some unexpected attention from director Ron Howard, who could empathize with Suotamo’s limitations while in costume.

“When he was shooting ‘Grinch’ with Jim Carrey, for one day he dressed in a Grinch costume and directed the film,” Suotamo said. “I think he did that just to know what it feels like to be in a suit. So he was very aware of my limitations and what I was going for every day when I was in the suit.”

RYAN PEARSON, AP Entertainment Writer